As a junior at Crespi High in Encino, Austin Shanks finished fifth in state in the 200 meters in last year’s CIF track finals. This year, he is one of the favorites to cap his career with a state championship in the 200.

However in his most recent track meet Saturday, Shanks finished third, behind winner Adam Long of St.Bernard of Playa del Rey and Antwaine Miller of Inglewood, at the Percy Knox Invitational track meet at College of the Canyons.

Shanks will be attending the University of Northern Arizona next year and will play on the school’s football team.

After the Percy Knox Invitational, he talked about who he considers his main rivals in track this year, where he really wanted to play college football and why he’s a fan of the Tennesee Titans.

DAILY NEWS: Who do you consider your toughest competition?

AUSTIN SHANKS: I’ll start off with Adam Long. We’ve been battling since last year in my division, Division IV, state. He was the only junior to beat me. We’ve been battling.

DN: What’s your favorite food?

AS: Probably pizza. I always have it at the house.

DN: What do you eat before a meet?

AS: I usually eat meat first, then the vegetables, if I eat vegetables.

DN: What kind of meat do you like?

AS: Chicken, steak, pork chops.

DN: What’s your favorite vegetable?

AS: I don’t have one, but if I have to choose one, I’d say green beans.

DN: What actor do you idolize?

AS: I like Denzel (Washington) because of the way he carries himself. Seems like in the movies, that’s how he lives, that’s really him. He makes you feel like he’s a real person.

DN: What’s your favorite football team?

AS: Titans and Chargers.

DN: You can’t have two.

AS: OK, Titans.

DN: Why the Titans?

AS: In 2001, I started liking them when they went to the Super Bowl with Eddie George. He came from Ohio State. I like that.

DN: What do you like about Ohio State?

AS: My mom’s from Ohio. We used to always go out there in the summer before I started running in the Junior Olympics when I was younger.

DN: Did you want to go to school there?

AS: I wanted to, but I didn’t have my mind set there. I kept everything open. I knew there was a big possibility I wouldn’t go there and I’m not.

DN: What’s you favorite race?

AS: The 200.

DN: Why?

AS: Because that’s my strongest race.

DN: What’s your favorite track?

AS: Probably Cerritos (College).

DN: What’s special about Cerritos.

AS: It feels good when you run on it because it’s new. That’s where I started to do well. I made it to CIF when I was there.

DN: What high school would you have gone to if you didn’t go to Crespi?

AS: I was going to go to Kennedy. My dad’s friend was head (football) coach at the school.

The academic program and the sports were coming up (at Crespi). My mom liked the academics. I feel like I made a good choice.